ANA KITIC
Chicago,USA
Summary
Results-driven International Development Professional with over twenty years in administration, field operations, financial compliance, and grants management. Expertise in accounting standards and donor regulations, alongside a strong track record in staff management and training. Skilled in employee relations, strategic planning, and report preparation, effectively navigating cultural differences to foster collaboration and enhance organizational productivity.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Subgrants Administrator
National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, NDI
Washington, District of Columbia
03.2021 - 02.2025
- Collaborated with country teams, headquarters staff, and Subgrants team to issue and maintain subgrants, enhancing compliance and operational efficiency.
- Review partner application proposals and budgets for accuracy, allowability of costs, cost reasonableness, and compliance with donor and NDI guidelines;
- Review NDI proposals and budgets to donors that contain a subgrant component, prior approval requests;
- Preparing subaward packages ensuring donor requirements are incorporated into cooperative agreements, obtaining management and CFO`s approval, and issuing agreements to subrecipients;
- Working with program teams to manage the drawdown process for subgrants, engaging Subgrants management on timely fund transfers;
- Facilitated processing of subgrant agreement amendments, maintaining adherence to funding guidelines.
- Conducting organizational risk assessments and establishing reporting and financial monitoring plans for subgrantees, creating risk mitigation approaches;
- Guide country-based teams, including subgrants support personnel in setting up and implementing subgrants management systems;
- Develop effective strategies for managing workflow and maintain tracking tools for Asia-Pacific subgrants;
- Providing subgrants management training for country teams and program staff, serving as a technical resource to subgrantee partners.
- Working with NDI Subgrants team on maintaining subgrantee files, agreements and correspondence;
- Initiate required subgrantee donor-specific audit reports and assist with preparation for NDI annual audits related to subgrants.
Treasurer / Board of Directors
Friends of Cleveland (FOC)
Chicago, USA
10.2019 - 10.2022
- Chaired the Finance Committee.
- Managed donations, ensuring accurate records of expenditures and contributions to support financial transparency.
- Monitored monthly expenses and prepared 990 – PF annual reports to ensure compliance and accurate financial reporting.
- Assisted with fundraising efforts and reviewed grant proposals to align financial strategies with organizational goals.
- Chicago – Non-profit organization, 501 (c)(3)
Subgrants Consultant for Asia Pacific Region
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
Washington , DC
07.2020 - 03.2021
- Assisting with subgrants issuance for the Asia-Pacific region
- Reviewed partner application proposals and budgets for accuracy, allowability of costs, cost reasonableness, and compliance with donor and NDI guidelines;
- Reviewing Subgrant proposal packages, including pre-award questionnaire, audit report, the accounting procedures and internal controls of each organization and provides recommendations for improvements;
- Conducted organizational risk assessments, established reporting and financial monitoring plans for subgrantees, and proposed risk mitigation approaches
- Managed drawdown process for subgrants, ensuring completeness of subgrant partner requests and routing for further approvals
- Preparing electronic subaward packages, routing to Subgrants management and NDI staff for approvals, and issuance of the agreements to subrecepients;
- Opening and updating the subgrant electronic folders with relevant agreements and correspondence; maintaining subgrant issuance Google tracker.
- Entering all relevant information into the Subgrants Database
- Reporting to Asia- Pacific regional leadership and directly liaising with the NDI Subgrants Manager
Independent Consultant
01.2019 - 07.2020
- Collaborated with local NGOs in South East Asia to support proposal submissions for EU and USAID funding.
- Analyzed client needs to develop tailored consulting strategies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance project delivery efficiency.
- Facilitated workshops to drive stakeholder engagement and gather insights.
Resident Finance and Administration Manager
National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, NDI
Yangon, Myanmar
10.2017 - 09.2018
- Providing oversight of financial operations in the field for programs, funded by USAID and DfID
- Managing all aspects of accounting for the Myanmar field office, including the supervision of accounting personnel
- Monitoring program expenditures and monthly field expenses, including budget to actual expenses, and reporting on financial results and cost projections to management in Myanmar and Washington, DC
- Utilized accounting and financial systems to enhance work delivery quality
- Training and guiding NDI’s field office accountants on NDI’s policies and procedures, donor grant compliance requirements, and bookkeeping and internal controls
- Ensured compliance with national laws and NDI donor administrative and reporting requirements.
- Implemented administrative and human resources systems in collaboration with Myanmar management and DC-based staff to strengthen support for NDI’s programs in Myanmar
- Supervised six administrative staff to ensure efficient operations in the office.
- Reviewed security plans and adapted practices to ensure alignment with changing needs
- Acted as primary contact for security-related concerns and coordinated responses.
- Working with program staff to determine current and projected recruitment needs and assist in hiring, training and supervising local staff
- Updating job descriptions for national staff to accurately reflect responsibilities and processes within the organization and ensure ongoing competitive compensation
- (Yangon, Myanmar)
Resident Senior Subgrants Officer
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
06.2016 - 10.2017
- Designing and overseeing all organizational development capacity activities including assessments, trainings and post-training monitoring and support, including evaluation
- Assessing financial management capacity of sub-recipients and developing an action plan to close identified gaps in financial management practices;
- Developing and implementing training curriculum and strategies tailored to the Cambodian context for the sub-recipients’ finance, accounting and program staff;
- Assisting partners with strategic planning, annual budget preparation, and utilization of budget monitoring tools
- Provided ongoing support to financial managers of sub-recipient organizations to enhance financial management capacity
- Monitored sub-recipients for accuracy in financial reporting and investigated unusual activities to mitigate fraud risks
- Oversaw follow-up on USAID required audit reports, ensuring resolution of identified inconsistencies
- Coordinating with the Chief of Party and other program staff to ensure cohesion and communication across all program activities
- A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government
Communications, Marketing and Admissions Officer
International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
07.2015 - 06.2016
- Oversaw student admissions data management at International Baccalaureate School.
- Supported communications and marketing initiatives for non-profit International Baccalaureate School.
- Reviewed student applications to assess eligibility and academic qualifications.
- Coordinated campus tours and information sessions for prospective families.
- Developed relationships with schools to facilitate student recruitment efforts.
Regional Accountant for South East Asia
International Republican Institute
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
10.2009 - 06.2015
- Audit of financial reports from nine field offices in the region (Cambodia, Indonesia, China, Mongolia, Thailand, Bangladesh, East Timor, Myanmar, South Korea)
- Preparation of financial reports for the programs in the region without offices present in the country
- Managed audits of field offices conducted by funders, local authorities, and CPA firms to ensure compliance and transparency.
- Opening & closing a Field Office, facilitating in country registration, recruitment of accounting personnel.
- Providing accounting support for Election Observation Missions in the region
- Liaison between HQ Accounting Department and Field Offices, daily communication
- Ensuring the application of IRI policies, donors’ requirements, rules and regulations in Field Office reporting
- Conducted accounting training sessions for new field accountants, program expats, local partners, and subgrantees.
- Performed periodic reviews of field offices’ accounting and administrative procedures and updated field office manuals.
- Followed up on audit findings to strengthen existing procedures and enhance quality of internal controls.
Deputy Regional Accountant
International Republican Institute
Amman, Jordan
08.2009 - 10.2009
- Reviewed and analyzed monthly financial reports from six regional field offices – Pakistan, Lebanon, Jordan, AWLI, Egypt, and Oman – and communicated key findings to HQ.
- Managed financial reporting processes for regional offices and programs.
- Prepared monthly budget forecasts for various international initiatives.
- Coordinated audits and ensured compliance with financial regulations.
Office Manager
International Republican Institute (IRI)
Belgrade, Serbia
05.2008 - 08.2009
- Managed office finances, prepared monthly financial reports, and updated project expenses to ensure accurate financial tracking.
- Provided administrative and programmatic support within the office environment.
- Coordinated meetings, seminars, trainings, and conferences, overseeing logistics to facilitate successful events.
- Procuring and maintaining office supplies and equipment
- Maintained regular communication with local IRI Serbia partners, beneficiaries, and vendors to strengthen collaborative relationships.
- Review of IRI local partners' financial reports, training of their financial personnel.
- Contributed to a nongovernmental organization focused on advancing global freedom and democracy.
Finance and Administrative Officer
World Learning, Inc
Belgrade, Serbia
10.2007 - 05.2008
- Maintained financial accounts and records, prepared monthly financial reports for management review.
- Calculation of staff salaries, benefits, updating of personal tax records
- Prepared statistical and status reports for HQ, maintained organized financial file system to support administrative efficiency.
- Purchase of office supplies and inventory, maintenance of inventory list
- Conducted accounting training sessions for new program staff.
- Assisted in processing student documentation, scheduled tests, arranged travel, and organized pre-departure orientation and re-entry workshops.
- Nonprofit organization, USAID Funded program supporting international educational and cultural exchange
Regional Office Finance Assistant
Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
Belgrade, Serbia
03.2004 - 10.2007
- Preparing financial reports and surveys on a monthly and bi-weekly basis, writing narrative reports to donors.
- Payment of grants to implementing partners and audit of their reports.
- Monitoring implementing partners and sub grant budgets and reporting on their spending.
- Correspondence with local and international NGOs and institutions regarding financial reports
- Performing cashier tasks, in charge of petty cash for all sub projects funded by different donors (fifteen different petty cash boxes with three currencies per each)
- Payment of grants to implementing partners and audits of their reports.
- Monitoring implementing partners and sub-grant budgets and reporting on their spending.
- Humanitarian organization protecting refugees and IDPs against persecution and promoting durable solutions
Administrative Officer
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
Nis, Serbia
09.2002 - 01.2004
- Executed procurement processes for supplies and services, facilitating smooth office operations.
- Monitoring budget and expenses of field offices Kraljevo and Nis
- Prepared cash records and reports for NRC field offices in Nis and Kraljevo, ensuring accurate financial tracking.
- Maintained client database, enhancing accessibility and organization of vital information.
- Updating and developing forms: time sheets, vehicle logs, cash and bank vouchers.
- Preparing weekly narrative reports.
- Delivered translation and interpretation support during meetings and document reviews.
- Conducted field visits to refugee camps to assess conditions and gather information.
- Non-profit organization, International Civil rights project, providing internationally displaced persons and refugees with free legal assistance, obtaining documents and court representation and counseling.
Education
BSc - Economics
University of Nis
Nis, Serbia01.2003
Comprehensive school - Department of languages and Social Studies
Bora Stankovic
Serbia01.1997
Skills
- QuickBooks and Quicken
- Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Training local accountants and finance managers
- Training program staff and partners
- Financial compliance and oversight
- Financial analysis
- Subgrant management
- Risk assessment
- Financial monitoring
Additional Skills And Knowledge
QuickBooks, Quicken, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point, MS Outlook, fluent English, native Serbian, basic German, Trained local accountants, finance managers, local and expat program staff across Asia and MENA region on regular basis, Trained local partners and subgrantees, Humentum Certificate in USAID Assistance Management Program, 12/10, 03/16, Procurement planning & Execution: USAID Grants & Cooperative Agreements, 03/16, Financial Management for USG funding, 03/17, Subaward Management Workshop, 11/16, FMD Pro Flex, 04/19
Timeline
Senior Subgrants Administrator
National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, NDI
03.2021 - 02.2025
Subgrants Consultant for Asia Pacific Region
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
07.2020 - 03.2021
Treasurer / Board of Directors
Friends of Cleveland (FOC)
10.2019 - 10.2022
Independent Consultant
01.2019 - 07.2020
Resident Finance and Administration Manager
National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, NDI
10.2017 - 09.2018
Resident Senior Subgrants Officer
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
06.2016 - 10.2017
Communications, Marketing and Admissions Officer
International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP)
07.2015 - 06.2016
Regional Accountant for South East Asia
International Republican Institute
10.2009 - 06.2015
Deputy Regional Accountant
International Republican Institute
08.2009 - 10.2009
Office Manager
International Republican Institute (IRI)
05.2008 - 08.2009
Finance and Administrative Officer
World Learning, Inc
10.2007 - 05.2008
Regional Office Finance Assistant
Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
03.2004 - 10.2007
Administrative Officer
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
09.2002 - 01.2004
BSc - Economics
University of Nis
Comprehensive school - Department of languages and Social Studies
Bora Stankovic